Airbus has secured its first A220 customer in the South Pacific with Air Vanuatu to operate the regional jet from 2020.

Air Vanuatu signed a firm order for four A220s and purchase rights for a further four aircraft at the 2019 Avalon Airshow on Tuesday. It is the first time the carrier has purchased Airbus aircraft.

It was expected to receive two A220s in 2020, with the remaining two aircraft to be delivered in 2021 and 2022.
Air Vanuatu chairman Joel Lengsau said the aircraft would be used to boost frequencies on existing routes and expand to new domestic and international ports.

“The addition of the A220 into our fleet will give Air Vanuatu flexibility to increase our network and provide additional services to more destinations with a greater level of customer comfort,” Lengsau told reporters at the airshow.
“The new aircraft will also mean additional jobs for pilots and cabin crews, together with maintenance and ramp teams at airports.

“Today marks a wonderful beginning for Air Vanuatu and Airbus.”

The A220 was formerly known as the CSeries when the program was managed by Bombardier.